Vegetable Lentil Soup
A hearty, nourishing soup packed with seasonal veggies and protein-rich lentils, ideal for meal prepping. This mediterranean-inspired asian (vegetarian) ready in about 60 minutes pairs cooked lentils, medium, diced carrots, stalks, diced celery for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 150 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 cup, cooked lentils
- 2 medium, diced carrots
- 2 stalks, diced celery
- 1 medium, diced onions
- 2 tbsp tomato puree
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 1 bay leaves
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 diced onion and sauté for 3 minutes until softened.
- Step 2: Stir in 2 diced carrots and 2 diced celery stalks. Cook for 5 minutes until slightly tender.
- Step 3: Add 2 tbsp tomato puree, 1 tsp cumin, and 4 cups vegetable broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 25 minutes.
- Step 4: Stir in 1 cup cooked lentils and 1 bay leaf. Cook for 10 minutes until the lentils are tender. Remove bay leaf before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Vegetable Lentil Soup take to make?
Total time is about 60 minutes (20 min prep + 40 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Vegetable Lentil Soup?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep cooked lentils from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Vegetable Lentil Soup?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Vegetable Lentil Soup for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
Is Vegetable Lentil Soup vegetarian?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Perfect asian recipe for a weeknight dinner.
- ★★★★★
Kids gobbled it up without complaints — that's a 5-star in my book.
- ★★★★☆
My family liked it. I personally would prefer more depth of flavor.
